Opinion II Today is World Environment Day!!!

CHECKING THE ONGOING PROLIFERATION OF NOISE POLLUTION AS THE 2017 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY IS MARKED TODAY MONDAY JUNE 5

         

Today June 5, the global community commemorates the 2017 World Environment Day. The day was instituted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to raise awareness on the dangers attached to the various environmental abuses worldwide.

       

Of course, no society is bound to thrive in a polluted environment or an environment filled with any form of pollution. Several plights such as malaria, cholera, depletion of the Ozone layer, loss of hearing, and what have you, as the case may be, being currently faced by mankind are mainly attributed to environmental mishandling or abuses.

        

Pollution can be defined as the introduction of unwanted substances or contaminants into the natural environment such as air, water and land, which causes adverse effect on the lives of the occupants. In the same vein, noise pollution is the disturbing or excessive sound that has the tendency of harming the activity of human or animal life.

        

The sources of most outdoor noise worldwide are mainly machines to include musical instruments, power generators, transportation systems, motor vehicles, aircraft, and trains. Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential areas. Similarly, indoor noise can be caused by building activities or music performances, especially in some workplaces.

        

Though noise has been a thing of great concern to mankind for decades now due to its devastating effect, but the recent dimension it has taken has remained the most worrisome aspect of it, that, if drastic approach is not taken to curb the anomaly, it is likely to degenerate into a more horrible situation soonest.

         

One cannot conclude a discussion on the causes of the current proliferation of noise pollution, particularly in Nigeria, without mentioning the uncalled manner in which most individuals or corporate organizations make use of the sound producing instrument known as loudspeaker. For instance, in most cases you would see some of the new generational churches display their loudspeakers not even within their church premises but along the street where the church in question is situated, thereby generating series of cacophonies.

         

The pathetic one is a situation whereby an individual, especially a youth would not enjoy listening to music in a low or decent tone unless the volume of the sound system is at the maximum point. Without mincing words, deriving pleasure from a noisy environment is not just a ridiculous attitude but irrational and barbaric. The most annoying and worrying aspect of this silly behaviour is that the person who indulges in such act is not only causing harm to himself but to his/her entire neighbours.

         

Also, the noise being generated by the various domestic power generating sets cannot be overlooked while discussing noise pollution. It is obvious that currently virtually every family or bachelor in Nigeria could boast of at least one electricity generator owing to the alarming rate of power instability/failure in the country; in other words, some families have up to two or three in their possession. Statistics show that over sixty percent (60%) of the aforementioned persons/families live in one-room rented apartment; needless to say that the power generators in their possession are being ignited either at the balcony of their houses or directly behind their windows.

        

The adverse effect of noise pollution or noise disturbance cannot be overemphasized. High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans, a rise in blood pressure, an increase in stress and vasoconstriction, and an increased incidence of coronary artery diseases. In animals, noise can increase the risk of death by altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with reproduction and navigation as well as contribute to permanent hearing loss.

         

Noise pollution affects both health and behaviour. Unwanted sound can damage one’s psychological health status. In addition, noise pollution can cause hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, and sleep disturbances, among other harmful effects. Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with someone’s normal activities including sleeping and conversation or when it disrupts/diminishes one’s quality of life.

        

In human beings, chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Older males exposed to significant occupational noise demonstrate more significantly reduced hearing sensitivity than their non-exposed peers, though differences in hearing sensitivity decrease with time and the two groups are indistinguishable by age 79. Noise pollution also contributes to annoyance.

        

As the world over commemorates the World Environment Day, we are expected to contribute our respective quotas, individually or collectively, towards curbing the ongoing various environmental abuses, especially misuse or mishandling of acoustics. Noise pollution can be alleviated in many ways. Roadway noise can be reduced by the use of noise barriers, limitation of vehicle speeds, alteration of roadway surface texture, restriction of heavy vehicles, use of traffic controls that smooth vehicle flow to reduce unnecessary braking and acceleration, and enhancement of tire designs. Similarly, aircraft noise can be reduced by using quieter jet engines as well as altering flight paths and time of day runway.

        

Inter alia, people ought to be advised to make use of an earpiece that has sound filter while listening to music or radio through an ear speaker. They should also be meant to understand the real beauty behind listening to music in a low tone or the health implications of high sound. More so, the churches should be sensitize on the appropriate way of channelling their sound systems during church service or worship hours. On the other hand, the ongoing incessant use of siren by various public office holders must be monitored by the appropriate quarters or authorities.

         

Most importantly, there is a compelling need to implement a legal backing regarding alleviation of noise pollution. Such measure would be targeted to mandate the owners of power generating sets to construct a mini-house for the said machines in order to profoundly reduce the sound being generated by them.

        

Generally, the proposed law would create an avenue whereby any one or organization found abusing the use of any sound equipment would be brought to book without much ado. It is indeed the duty of all to support this crusade. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com    

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As We Celebrate the World No-Tobacco Day

CHECKING THE DANGERS OF TOBACCO INTAKE AS THE 2017 WORLD NO-TOBACCO DAY IS COMMEMORATED ON WEDNESDAY MAY 31

         

          

Wednesday May 31, the global community commemorates the World No Tobacco Day. The Day, which is marked on every 31^st of May, was instituted by the United Nations (UN) through the effort of the World Health Organization (WHO). Annually, WHO alongside its partners mark the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce its consumption.

          

The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Tobacco: a threat to development’, which focuses on the compelling need to end tobacco intake. Frankly, from several angles such as social, health, economy, and governance, tobacco indeed poses a colossal threat to human cum societal development.    

         

The BBC English Dictionary defines tobacco as ‘the dried leaves of a particular plant which people smoke in pipes, cigars, and cigarettes.’ The products of the tobacco leaves can also be referred to as ‘tobacco’. In the same vein, tobacco smoking is the act or habit of smoking tobacco leaves or any of its products to include cigarette, cigar, snuff, et cetera.

          

There are a number of types of tobacco in existence. It is noteworthy that, any of the type involved contains unwholesome substances, which cause untold harm to the body. In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) named tobacco as the world’s single greatest cause of preventable deaths.

           

Tobacco smoke contains many chemicals that are harmful to both smokers and non-smokers. Research shows that inhaling even a little tobacco smoke can be harmful to the body. This is why among the various means of consuming tobacco leaves, which include sniffing, smoking, chewing and stuffing, smoking remains the most dangerous and delicate. Scientifically survey indicates that, of the more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, at least 250 including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide and ammonia are known to be harmful. Among the 250 known harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, at least 69 can cause cancer, especially in the lung, kidney, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, pancreas and cervix.

         

Tobacco smokers are exposed to variety of risks or health complications namely: blood clots and aneurysms in the brain which can lead to stroke, blood clots in the legs which may travel to the lungs, coronary artery disease including angina and heart attacks, high blood pressure, poor blood supply to the legs, problems with erections due to decreased blood flow into the penis.

         

Other health risks or problems are poor wound healing especially after surgery, asthma, problems during pregnancy such as babies born at low birth weight, premature labour, miscarriage and cleft lip; decreased ability to taste and smell, harm to sperm which contributes to infertility, loss of sight as a result of an increased risk of mascular degeneration, tooth and gum diseases as well as wrinkling of the skin.

          

Smokers who switch to smokeless tobacco instead of quitting tobacco intake completely still have a number of health risks to include increased risk of mouth or nasal cancer, gum problems, tooth wear, cavities, worsening high blood pressure, and angina. Those who do not smoke or take any form of tobacco but always stay around smokers are also exposed to some health issues such as heart attack and other heart diseases, lung cancer and sudden reactions involving the eye, nose, throat, and lower respiratory tract.

         

Infants and children who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are not left out. They can easily contract asthma, infections like virus-caused upper respiratory diseases, ear infections and pneumonia; lung damage or poor lung function, as well as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

        

Obviously, the aforementioned consequences are good reasons to quit the intake of tobacco. Like any addiction, quitting tobacco is not an easy task, especially when the person involved is acting alone. If one intends to quit smoking or intake of tobacco, family members, friends and co-workers may be supportive. He can also talk to his health care provider concerning nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation medications. More so, if he or she joins smoking cessation programmes, which are often offered by hospitals, health departments, community centres and work sites, he would have a much better chance of success.

         

The bitter fact is that the global tobacco epidemic kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing secondhand smoke. Unless we act, according to WHO, the epidemic is likely to kill more than eight million persons annually by the year 2030; and more than eighty percent (80%) of these preventable mortality rates will be among people living in low and middle income countries like Nigeria.

          

As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate the annual World No Tobacco Day, it is the responsibility of every Nigerian to acknowledge that the dangers of tobacco intake can only be avoided if its addicts as well as illicit traffickers holistically desist from such uncalled act.

          

Similarly, the National Tobacco Control bill that was recently passed into law by the National Assembly is unarguably a welcome development that ought to be encouraged by any concerned authority such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others, or anyone who thinks good of the country. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

____________________________________

Follow: @mediambassador   

Opinion II Imolites, It's Another May 29!

IMOLITES, IT’S ANOTHER MAY 29!

         

The last time I checked, there wasn’t any sane mind in Nigeria as a whole, and Imo in particular, that was yet to realize the essence of May 29 in the country’s democratic setting. It suffices to assert that every dick and harry in this country is apparently not unaware what the above day represents.

        

For some of us who are yet unaware, it is on this day, in 1999 precisely, that the then military rulers in Nigeria thought it wise to voluntarily hand over power to prospective civilian leaders, thereby allowing democracy to ubiquitously be in charge. And, the democracy in question is marking its eighteen years of uninterrupted existence today being 29^th of May 2017. This signifies, if I’m not mistaken, that democracy has come to stay in the acclaimed giant of Africa. It’s therefore needless to state that such scenario arguably calls for a thunderous celebration.

         

For those who may be doubtful about why we celebrate a day of this kind, it is worth noting that there is no any other system of leadership anywhere in the world that can be equated with the democratic system. In other words, democratic pattern of leadership is unparalleled or unequalled. It is unequalled because it is the only system of government that allows freedom of speech from the citizenry regardless of the circumstance; it is the only system that gives the people the opportunity to elect whomsoever they would like to be at the helm of affairs; it is the only system that grants room for protest if need be.

          

So, having pointed out those unique features of democracy, who then would counter the need for the celebration? Having stated that democracy is the only form of leadership that can allow the people at all levels to freely air their views, who would then say that it does not worth celebrating? I tell you solemnly that it is only he who doesn’t know what it means for the governed to tender a free speech that would criticize democracy; hence, only an ingrate can say boldly that democracy is worthless. Read my lips. Let’s ride on!

        

As we celebrate, I want to be more concerned on how much the aforesaid system has fared so far in Imo State, particularly since the emergence of the Rescue Mission Administration led by Governor Rochas Okorocha. Let’s commence from the beginning. We may have forgotten in haste but it would be nice, and wise too, for us to recall that Gov. Okorocha emerged as the governor of the Eastern Heartland via a popular mandate instituted by the masses, thus the victory was occasioned by his popularity as at the time in question.

         

Having acknowledged how he came into power, as well as owing to his extreme passion for education, he without much ado declared free education from nursery through primary to secondary level. As if that wasn’t enough, he further extended the laudable gesture to all the tertiary institutions of learning owned by the state. It is noteworthy that our teeming children are till date enjoying the free education in their various citadels of learning.

          

Similarly, the governor’s passion for good health among the people necessitated the establishment of the Ochiedike Diagnostic Centre, Owerri coupled with the Imo Foundation. It was equally same passion that informed the ongoing construction of Health centres in each of the twenty-seven (27) Local Government Areas in the state, though I have often times criticized the emergence of this very project which I see as unnecessary.

          

In the area of infrastructure and security, the record is unprecedented, thus speaks volumes. This is the only government that single-handedly constructed first to fifth inland roads to ease traffic congestion that was continually faced by commuters. Prior to the creation of the said roads, the various areas utilized for the construction were all bushes. Before the emergence of this government, security threats were obviously unbecoming and on the rampage. But now, Imolites can sleep with their both eyes closed contrary to what it used to be in the past, though the recent reemergence of insecurity along the Douglas Road is yearning for urgent and frank attention from the apt authorities.

          

Inter alia, the Rescue Mission Government has succeeded in crippling the god-fatherism syndrome that was formerly the order of the day in Imo State. Before now, the man in charge, rather than paying attention to the needful, would prefer to continue paying royalty or homage to a few political juggernauts he believed played a key role in bringing him into power. Throwing such ugly custom to the waste-bin where it rightly belongs simply indicates that the ‘share the money’ pattern is dead and buried in the state. The said phenomenon indeed took the state’s democratic affairs aback. Thank God it now belongs to the history book.

         

However, it’s worthy of note that this administration, likewise any other form of leadership, has erred in one way or the other. The lingering vacuum being witnessed in our various LGAs, as occasioned by inability to conduct Local Government election in the state, remains one of the major areas the revered Gov. Okorocha – led government has derailed. In the same vein, the ongoing faceoff existing between the government and the retirees is also an anomaly that is speaking badly of the government. The point is that, these individuals known as ‘senior citizens’ are old, thus their intelligence ought not to be played on.

          

All in all, the current administration has done well from my overall observation and assessment. If I’m asked to grade its leadership style and accomplishments, I would allocate seventy-five percent (75%) to it. We all are aware that the aforementioned percentage stands for distinction. Although the government has done well, it is wise for it to use an event like this to reexamine its existing policies towards changing the porous ones. A porous policy is simply not unlike a bad tyre; it can never move an inch unless it is changed.

          

So, as I sincerely and immensely congratulate the governor on this great and remarkable occasion, I enjoin his Excellency to endeavour to address the lapses created thus far; so that in the long run, we shall all have no reason not to celebrate him and his entire team.

         

Imolites, on their part, are also required to live up to the expectations at all times.  Hence, as we celebrate as well as look forward to receiving the goodies that are yet to arrive, we ought to equally note that it takes two to tango. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director,Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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Twitter: @mediambassador